The names of some of our schools have deep ties to our county or to this area.
The name Fayette or Fayetteville come from the name given this newly created county in 1821. It is our belief, but we cannot prove it, that among those first lottery drawers were veterans of the American Revolution.
Marquis de Lafayette believed in his king and queen in France, but also admired the thought of a democracy and admired General George Washington. The Lafayettes had served in the army in France for decades and though he was only 19 years old at the time, he decided to outfit a ship and a crew of soldiers and sale for America and help the American general out in his efforts. How he accomplished this will be told at another time. Suffice it to say, he pulled off his plan and ended up serving as a general over a number of American soldiers who really admired him. Some of these soldiers drew land here and it is felt that is how we got our name.
McIntosh High School was named by myself and former school superintendent, Jerry Stinchcomb. Principal Chief of the Creek Indian Nation, Chief William McIntosh was shot by his own people in 1825, a story I will tell later. His great-grandson, Chief Dode McIntosh became a personal friend of mine and I admired him the same as my father. This high school had a rich history behind the name the day it opened in 1982.
Sandy Creek High School was named for a longtime community in our county by that name
Braelinn was named, as I recall, by some Peachtree City residents who had published a book about imagined Scottish fairies creating a community and Braelinn means, as I recall, “by the lea,” or a community by the lake.
Cleveland Elementary was named for the family here that owned the land. As with finding out specific information about my own family, the people who can tell you more are no longer living.
J. C. Booth Middle School was named for Fayette County High School principal, James Cecil Booth. His son, Jimmy Booth, went through high school here, and Emory University. Jimmy returned as editor of the Fayette County News. Cecil and his wife, Helen, and Jimmy were always active in the community.
